DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman highlighted the collaborative efforts of the government and the civil society which helped place the Philippines as a global leader in open government during the session on "Empowered Women, Lasting Peace: Advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda through Open Governance," a side event of the international conference on Oct. 30, 2024.

Led by the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), the session also served as a platform for championing inclusive governance through sharing best practices and developing actionable recommendations to ensure that women's voices continue to shape gender equality and peacebuilding efforts.

The Budget chief and PH-OGP chairman encouraged everyone to maximize the opportunity to integrate the WPS agenda into the open government framework.

"May our diverse voices – filled with insights from our different experiences, cultures, and communities – come together so that we may speak with one voice – whether you are from the government, from the Judiciary or from civil society – as we pursue gender equality, global security and lasting peace," she said.

Pangandaman likewise called for the integration of children and youth sectors in the narrative and initiatives, without which the WPS Agenda will never be complete.

"This has been made clear by United Nations Secretary General Amina Mohammed and often repeated throughout the conference: women and children are the most affected and displaced by conflicts and so policies to protect them should be given primordial importance," she added.

Meanwhile, associate justice Filomena Singh reaffirmed the Supreme Court's commitment to eradicating abuse, discrimination, and violence, and to elevating government services available to women and girls seeking justice and protection.

"This campaign is not just an empty statement; it is an actionable, inclusive response to a deeply-rooted societal issue that afflicts many of our women and girls as young as one, two, three years old," she said.

Malayang Lapian ng mga Kababaihan (Malaya Ka Inc.) executive director and PH-OGP co-chairman Aurora Chavez then showcased the works of their CSO, especially its programs targeting the young adults including senior high school and out-of-school youth and addressing issues such as teenage pregnancy.

Finally, Singanen o Mindanao founder and director Aliah Baniaga Adam called for more opportunities for the youth from all parts of the country to communicate and exchange ideas as she believes that "communication is key to peacebuilding."